Grand Rapids City Commission Report

The Grand Rapids City Commission held its first meeting of 2017 yesterday, as commissioners voted on a number of ordinances for the new year.

Kicking off the meeting was an amendment to 2017's Budget, as The Income Tax Department has determined that the city would best be served by eliminating Chase Bank processing costs in exchange for the addition of an Income Tax Specialist position to their personal roster. Officials say the new position would save the city around $146,000 in the new budget.

A number of appointments were also made at the meeting, notably Christopher McDonald and Andrew Johnston to the Vital Streets Oversight Commission. Vital streets is an aggressive overhaul of Grand Rapids roads and infrastructure that promises bike enthusiasts miles of new bike lanes downtown.

One of the more interesting things that came out of the meeting was a new list of of expected meeting procedures, including the immediate removal of anyone making derogatory comments directed toward a person's race, religion, or nation of origin during the public comments portion. In December, one member of the public referred to another as an "Uncle Tom," commissioner David Allen said at the meeting that type of behavior will not tolerated by the commission.

A new study commissioned by Grand Action suggests Grand Rapids’ DeVos Place Convention Center is prime for expansion. It’s one of a number of recommendations found in the “Grand Rapids Destination Asset Study.”

Grand Action is the business-based nonprofit behind the construction of Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place and the Downtown Market. Continuing its visionary planning it reached out to CSL of Minneapolis to take stock of the areas current assets, what attracts visitors and the competitiveness of the Grand Rapids market.

Grand Rapids' City Clerk Darlene O'Neal reminds residents of the register to vote deadline. And, hundreds of trees are set for planting throughout Grand Rapids this fall. Darlene joins us this morning.

John Lehman will lead the Grand Rapids Fire Department. After an extensive, five-month nationwide search, including community meetings, the Fire Chief Selection Committee determined Lehman’s skills set was best suited for replacing retired Chief Laura Knapp.

The 32-year old recently retired as fire chief from the City of Aurora, Illinois with a population of roughly 200,000 residents.

Grand Rapids residents turned out for the presidential election in nearly historic numbers.

On Tuesday, Grand Rapids City Clerk Darlene O’Neal gave her report to the City Commission--She said in total, 63% of Grand Rapids participated in the presidential election—that’s up two percentage points over the 2012 decision. While the 2008 election boasts the highest percentage at 66%, O’Neal told WGVU those numbers are slightly misleading.